CXC Expands its Youth Programs to Bring More Kids to Cross Country

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CXC EXPANDS YOUTH PROGRAMS CXC expands its Youth Programs to bring more kids to cross country skiing at the entry level, assist local clubs, and provide competitive opportunities around the Midwest/Central Region.

MADISON, WI (January 4, 2009)

Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) is pleased to announce new developments and initiatives with the CXC Youth Program. This emerging program now covers all levels in youth advancement through the sport of cross country skiing. The CXC Youth Program assists any youth clubs and ski groups around Midwest/Central Region and beyond that join CXC as a club.

Wander Outside this Winter! (â€œW.O.W.!â€) is an entry level initiative developed to bring kids and their families outside in the winter to have fun on snow and enjoy winter. It encompasses a variety of exciting winter activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, downhill skiing, making a snowman, and tubing. It also has a nutrition component to build a healthy habit of fueling the body with fruits and vegetables. This initiative has been developed with assistance from elementary school teaches, children illustrators, the Madison Childrenâ€™s Museum and nutrition scientists. Visit http://www.cxcskiing.org/site_pages/youth/about.htm to learn more. For the benefit of healthy youth, get involved!

FUNdamentals is the next very important level in youth development by building sport specific skills and abilities. CXC will be assisting clubs with a comprehensive â€œCXC Youth Manualâ€, â€œAthlete Long Term Developmentâ€ 2.5 hour DVD and â€œSki School Activity Bookletâ€ which will help youth instructors and parents with tips and ideas on how to organize ski sessions in an effective and constructive way. All of these materials are available to CXC Youth Clubs at no charge. Clubs and youth skiers can sign up for the membership at http://www.cxcskiing.org/site_pages/members/membership.htm. CXC has partnered with XC Zone from Canada and the Norwegian Ski Federation to offer some of their educational materials to CXC members.

â€The Norwegian Ski Federation is pleased to exchange information and programming materials with CXC in the United States. As a leading ski nation, Norway has much to offer. I feel the sport as a whole has much to gain by the growth of cross country skiing in the United States with its vast potential. CXC is doing an impressive job with its comprehensive programming ranging from an Elite race team, to youth and childrenâ€™s development programs, to supporting disabled athletes. We feel it is mutually beneficial to work with them.â€ says Per Nymoen, Director of Cross Country Skiing at Norges Skiforbund.

Competitive opportunities for young skiers (J3/J4/J5 age categories-roughly ages 8-13) are available at most of the Junior Olympic Qualifier races. Skiers can compete with their peers around the region and score points. New this year is a Metro Nordic Youth Super Series (MNYSS). MNYSS was developed in collaboration with Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL) in Minneapolis, MN and various race organizers. The goal is to encourage more race directors throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes to host youth races, events, and series along with their citizen races.

â€œWe are very excited about introducing all these new developments. This is just a beginning. The next big step is a J3/J4/J5 Regional Championships and Regional Youth Festival. We are working in this direction by looking at potential venues and are planning to give it life in the 2011 season. I would like to thank everyone who is helping with our youth program, from community leaders and volunteers to donors and sponsors,â€ â€“ commented Yuriy Gusev, Executive and Athletic Director of Central Cross Country Ski Association and CXC Community Olympic Development Program.

The principle funding source for the CXC Youth Program is the CXC Masters Team; a group of master/citizen skiers who have committed to support youth development and enjoy the benefits and opportunities of training with CXC Elite Team Vertical Limit and CXC coaches. CXC welcomes skiers to join the CXC Masters Team and enjoy supporting CXC youth initiatives.